I was in Portugal last week with my family and was so disappointed to see parents hovering at the playgrounds like they do in Philadelphia. My three year old really wanted to play with kids but came to me and said "too many adults!"
Back home, we have a new cool playground that is designed to make it uncomfortable for the adults to be on it and I love it. Let the kids play with other kids!
Much more enjoyable to watch kids sort things out for themselves than to guide them. Have seen kids adapt play 'rules' to accommodate players of varying skills without grownups intervening.
Ha! Good question. We have a basic formula: 1 fruit, 1 vegetable, 1 main + 1 treat (optional and conditional on having any in the house). For one kid, the main is always leftovers in a thermos. For another, it's a sandwich or wrap. Once in a while, it IS a hunk of bread with some ham, cheese, or hummus on the side. Very simple. For veggies, they usually cut up carrots, celery, or peppers. For fruit, apple slices, pears, bananas, or berries in season. I'm a stickler for them eating their lunch, so if it's not done when they get home, they finish it as their after-school snack. Making their own has made them far more inclined to eat it, which is nice.
I was in Portugal last week with my family and was so disappointed to see parents hovering at the playgrounds like they do in Philadelphia. My three year old really wanted to play with kids but came to me and said "too many adults!"
Back home, we have a new cool playground that is designed to make it uncomfortable for the adults to be on it and I love it. Let the kids play with other kids!
An anti-adult playground sounds wonderful!
Much more enjoyable to watch kids sort things out for themselves than to guide them. Have seen kids adapt play 'rules' to accommodate players of varying skills without grownups intervening.
I love listening in on kids' games. They're marvelously adaptable and inventive when there's no expectation of adults intervening.
What do your kids pack for lunch? Worried mine would pack leftover Easter Candy and a hunk of bread. 🤣
Ha! Good question. We have a basic formula: 1 fruit, 1 vegetable, 1 main + 1 treat (optional and conditional on having any in the house). For one kid, the main is always leftovers in a thermos. For another, it's a sandwich or wrap. Once in a while, it IS a hunk of bread with some ham, cheese, or hummus on the side. Very simple. For veggies, they usually cut up carrots, celery, or peppers. For fruit, apple slices, pears, bananas, or berries in season. I'm a stickler for them eating their lunch, so if it's not done when they get home, they finish it as their after-school snack. Making their own has made them far more inclined to eat it, which is nice.